Healing Fried Rice: One Purr at a Time

Fried Rice is finally free!!! Poor Fried Rice came to the Iowa City Animal Care & Adoption Center several months ago in rough shape. She arrived with severe stomatitis, which required surgery to remove all her teeth. She was also full of fleas and lice and suffered from a bad case of feline herpes—a respiratory disease in cats. Just when she made it through all those issues, Fried Rice contracted ringworm and lost all the hair on her ear! The Animal Center has been running at full capacity for months, so Fried Rice couldn’t be quarantined at the shelter, and all the foster homes already had cats (some also with ringworm). In the end, we decided to keep Fried Rice in the FACF office, hoping a foster home would open up. Unfortunately, the foster homes continued to fill with other sick or infected cats, so she stayed here with us while receiving her treatments and medications. We can’t thank our donors enough for supporting cats like Fried Rice. To be honest, she was quite the mess—no teeth, sick, covered in bugs—yet she still received the treatment she deserved. After $2,000 in medical care and months in quarantine, she’s FINALLY ready to find a home of her own. We can’t express in words how sweet this cat is. She loves life and wants nothing more than to be loved and petted. It was heart-wrenching to visit her only to clean and medicate her, knowing she just wanted to be held and loved

Choo Choo’s Road to Recovery

Choo Choo was found abandoned in a county road ditch, scared, underweight, and badly in need of grooming. Thankfully, a compassionate foster family took him in and has been caring for him over the past several weeks. Because of your generous donations, Choo Choo received a much-needed haircut, nutritious food to help him gain weight, and veterinary care to ensure he's healthy and comfortable. Your support provides everything he needs while he heals in a safe and loving foster home—thank you for giving animals like Choo Choo a second chance. 

Barn Cats Need Heroes Too

Not every cat wants to curl up on a couch—some prefer the great outdoors. That’s where our barn cat program comes in, giving independent, outdoor-loving cats a second chance at life. These cats often come from tough backgrounds. They may be undersocialized or simply prefer to live on their own terms. But thanks to your donations, they’re still given the care they deserve. Every dollar helps cover the cost of spay/neuter surgery, vaccines, and their adoption fee—making sure they’re healthy, safe, and ready for life as a working cat. Your support gives them a purpose and a place to belong—whether it’s a barn, shop, or outbuilding. With your help, these resilient cats get to live the life they want, while keeping rodents in check for their new humans. Because of you, barn cats aren’t forgotten—they’re valued. Thank you for giving them the chance to thrive. 🐾

From Starvation to Safety: Arlo & Isis’s Story

Arlo and Isis came to the Iowa City Animal Care & Adoption Center in heartbreaking condition. Alongside their parents and a sibling, they were rescued from a case of extreme neglect — all of them dangerously starved. Tragically, one of the puppies didn’t survive. It’s a sobering reminder of how urgent and serious animal neglect cases can be. Thanks to your support, Arlo, Isis, and their parents were given the second chance they so desperately needed. They were placed with a loving foster family — including one of our board members, who is also a medical doctor. With specialized experience in refeeding both human and animal patients, this foster home was uniquely equipped to handle the delicate care these dogs required. What many people don’t know is that the Iowa City Animal Center is more than a place for adoptions. As part of the city’s Animal Services team under the Iowa City Police Department, they also play a direct role in investigating and helping prosecute cases of animal cruelty and neglect. These dogs were not only rescued — their suffering will not go unanswered. Arlo and Isis are now thriving, playful, and growing stronger every day. While we mourn the life lost, we celebrate the ones saved — and we thank you for making that possible.

Why the 2025 Addition Matters: Cat Hoarding Rescue

15 cats were brought to the Iowa City Animal Care & Adoption Center from a heartbreaking hoarding situation. Many of them arrived severely ill—suffering from upper respiratory infections, parasites, and untreated medical conditions. To protect the rest of the shelter’s cat population, the cats had to be quarantined immediately. Cases like this are not rare—and they push the shelter’s space and resources to the limit. With limited isolation space, every intake like this puts incredible pressure on shelter staff, volunteers, and most importantly, the animals. That’s why the 2025 addition is so critical. This planned expansion can be used as a dedicated quarantine area to house large numbers of animals in emergencies, such as hoarding cases or disease outbreaks. It will have its own HVAC system and can be completely sealed off from the rest of the shelter, keeping all animals safer and reducing the spread of illness. This is more than just extra space—it’s a lifeline for animals in crisis. With your support, we can be ready for the next time the unexpected arrives.

Scruffy's Start: A Tiny Fighter’s Journey

Scruffy was just a few hours old when he was brought to the animal shelter—tiny, fragile, and clinging to life. He was found with his mother, but sadly, she wasn’t producing milk. Without the nourishment he needed, Scruffy was quickly fading. Thanks to your donations, Scruffy had a lifeline. He was placed into foster care right away, where he was bottle fed every few hours, kept warm with heating pads and snuggly blankets, and closely monitored to make sure he stayed strong. The formula, medical supplies, and around-the-clock care were all made possible because of you.
For 10 weeks, Scruffy grew under the loving care of his foster. He opened his eyes, learned to walk, and started to play—hitting all his milestones like a tiny champion.
Because of your generosity, Scruffy got the start every kitten deserves. Now, he’s a healthy, playful kitten with a bright future ahead. Thank you for giving him the gift of life. 💛

Charlotte' Second Chance

When Charlotte arrived at the shelter, it was clear she had been suffering for far too long. Her back leg was severely injured—damaged beyond repair. The pain she had endured was unimaginable, and sadly, the injury had been left untreated for so long that amputation was the only option. But thanks to your donations, Charlotte’s story didn’t end in heartbreak—it became one of hope. Because of your support, Charlotte received the emergency surgery she desperately needed. Her medical bills, pain management, and post-op care were all made possible by kindhearted donors like you. After surgery, she quickly began to heal—not just physically, but emotionally too. Her tail started to wag again. Her eyes lit up. She was finally able to move without pain. Today, Charlotte is thriving. She’s learning to run and play on three legs, proving every day that she’s strong, resilient, and full of love. Your donations didn’t just save Charlotte’s leg—they saved her life. Thank you for giving her the happy future she deserves. 🐾💛

A Purrfect Place to Soak Up the Sun: The New Catio

Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, the cats at the Iowa City Animal Care & Adoption Center now have something truly special—a catio! This outdoor space was built just for them, giving our feline friends a safe and stimulating environment where they can bask in the sunshine, sniff the fresh air, and watch the world go by. For cats who spend their days indoors at the shelter, the catio provides much-needed enrichment. Whether they’re lounging on the shelves, bird-watching from the platforms, or enjoying the breeze through their whiskers, this space gives them the freedom to be curious and calm—just like cats are meant to be. Our incredible volunteers took things a step further by planting a sensory garden all around the catio. Full of flowers and plants that attract butterflies, bees, and birds, the garden brings nature right to the cats' paws. Every flutter, chirp, and rustle outside the fence sparks joy and engagement for the shelter cats. This project was made possible by a donor who wanted to remain anonymous but made a huge impact on the lives of the animals. We are so grateful for their support, and for everyone who helped bring this idea to life. Because of them, our cats now have a little piece of outdoor paradise while they wait for their forever homes.